JISOO
Self
BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky
“The rise of a global phenomena.”
2020
1h 19m
Director: Caroline Suh
Overview
Record-shattering Korean girl band BLACKPINK tell their story — and detail the hard fought journey of the dreams and trials behind their meteoric rise.
Cast
Reviews
5 min readThe Girls in the Machine
I’ve watched BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky three times now, and each time I’m struck by the same contradiction: this is a film about four young women who’ve been meticulously engineered into global superstars, yet it keeps insisting on their humanity. The tension isn’t subtle. It’s right there in the title—Light Up the Sky—a phrase that conjures both the dazzling spectacle of their performances and the weight of what it takes to become that bright.
Caroline Suh’s documentary doesn’t resolve this tension so much as it lets it breathe, and in doing so, it becomes something rare for a music doc: a portrait of resilience that feels intimate without ever pretending to be raw.
The film’s greatest strength is its refusal to treat BLACKPINK as a monolith. Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa are introduced not just as a unit but as individuals with distinct personalities, backgrounds, and even traumas. The childhood footage—Lisa dancing alone in a Thai studio at 14, Rosé playing guitar in Australia, Jennie practicing piano in New Zealand—doesn’t just humanize them; it underscores the sheer distance between who they were and what they’ve become.
There’s a moment where Jennie, now one of the most photographed women in the world, admits to feeling empty after tours, her voice barely above a whisper. It’s the kind of unguarded confession that K-pop documentaries often avoid, and it lands because Suh has spent the previous hour showing us the machinery behind the glamour.
That machinery is the trainee system, and the film doesn’t shy away from its brutality. We hear about 14-hour days, weekly evaluations where girls were cut like contestants on a reality show, and the unspoken rule that you didn’t complain. (One of the most chilling lines comes from a former trainee, not even in BLACKPINK, who says, “If you cried, you were weak.”) But here’s the thing: Light Up the Sky isn’t an exposé.
It’s not Blackpink: The Dark Truth Behind the Glitter. Suh, a Korean-American director whose previous work includes the Netflix series Salt Fat Acid Heat, was given access by YG Entertainment, and the film’s tone reflects that. It acknowledges the industry’s harshness but doesn’t dwell on it.
Instead, it focuses on the girls’ friendship—the way they call each other “unnie” (older sister), the way they lean on each other during interviews, the way they laugh when they’re supposed to be serious. It’s a delicate balance, and not everyone buys it. As one critic on Metacritic put it, “What’s left out of Light Up the Sky is a LOT more interesting than anything we’re shown here.”
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.0/10
"A heartfelt but uneven look at Blackpink’s rise that satisfies fans but feels too polished for casual viewers."
The documentary delivers an intimate glimpse into the personal struggles and triumphs of Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa, making it a must-watch for Blackpink’s dedicated fanbase. latestnetflix.com's view is that however, its glossy, sanitized approach and lack of deeper industry insights leave some wanting more substance, particularly those unfamiliar with the group’s journey.
What viewers praise
- Authentic member stories Viewers appreciate the raw and emotional moments shared by the members about their training days and personal challenges.
- Engaging for fans Fans find the behind-the-scenes footage and member reactions to their own documentary deeply satisfying and emotionally resonant.
- High production value The documentary’s visual style and pacing are praised for being sleek and professional, enhancing the viewing experience.
- Inspirational journey The story of Blackpink’s rise from trainees to global superstars is seen as motivating and uplifting, especially for aspiring artists.
Common complaints
- Too polished Some viewers feel the documentary avoids controversial or unflattering aspects of the group’s journey, making it feel overly sanitized.
- Lacks depth Casual viewers or those unfamiliar with K-pop find the documentary shallow, wishing for more insight into the industry or the group’s creative process.
- Short runtime The 79-minute duration is criticized for feeling too brief to fully explore the members’ stories or the group’s impact.
- Limited appeal Non-fans may struggle to connect with the content, as it assumes a baseline level of familiarity with Blackpink’s music and career.
Recommended for
Blackpink fans K-pop enthusiasts Music documentary lovers Fans of inspirational stories Behind-the-scenes content seekers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsInside BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky: The Untold Story of Netflix’s K-Pop Doc
Netflix’s 2020 documentary BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky promised fans an intimate look at the rise of K-pop’s most explosive girl group. Directed by Caroline Suh (Salt Fat Acid Heat), the film delivers on spectacle—glossy concert footage, behind-the-scenes rehearsals, and the members’ childhood dreams—but leaves some fans craving deeper drama. latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what the evidence reveals (and what it doesn’t).
From Trainees to Global Icons: The Film’s Core Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jx_vdvxWu0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX01gXJwOoA
The documentary traces Blackpink’s journey from YG Entertainment’s grueling trainee days to their 2019 Coachella debut, where they became the first K-pop girl group to headline the festival 
. Snippets from the film show the members—Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa—recalling the isolation and pressure of training for years before their 2016 debut . Rosé, in particular, describes the emotional toll of being separated from her family in Australia, while Lisa, the group’s Thai member, shares her struggles with language barriers and cultural adjustment .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqxeQZDoW2Y
The film also highlights the group’s meteoric rise, including their record-breaking YouTube debut with Boombayah and their 2018 collaboration with Dua Lipa on Kiss and Make Up . But beyond the milestones, the doc leans into personal moments: Jennie’s perfectionism, Jisoo’s quiet resilience, and the group’s bond as a makeshift family .
Caroline Suh’s Vision: Access Without Scandal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6cZomBvDgI
Director Caroline Suh, known for her food docuseries Salt Fat Acid Heat, brought a fly-on-the-wall approach to Light Up the Sky. In an interview, she revealed that YG Entertainment granted her "unprecedented access" but with clear boundaries—no unscripted meltdowns or backstage feuds . Suh described the process as collaborative, with the members and their team shaping the narrative to focus on their "hard work and unity" rather than tabloid fodder .
This restraint frustrated some fans hoping for dirt. The film avoids discussing rumored tensions between the members or YG’s infamous management controversies (like the 2019 Square One era delays) . Instead, it frames Blackpink’s success as a collective triumph, with producer Teddy Park (the group’s longtime collaborator) serving as a mentor figure . The doc’s 6/10 rating on SensCritique suggests viewers found it "insightful but sanitized" .
What the Film Leaves Out
For all its access, Light Up the Sky skirts several elephants in the room:
- The "Missing" Fifth Member: Early Blackpink lore hinted at a fifth trainee who left before debut. The doc never addresses this [rumor/unconfirmed].
- YG’s Control: The film glosses over YG’s reputation for strict contracts and creative interference. Suh’s interviews suggest the label was hands-on about the narrative .
- Post-2020 Drama: The doc ends with Blackpink’s 2019 Coachella set, ignoring later controversies (like the 2021 The Album rollout or solo projects overshadowing group activities) [unconfirmed].
The Netflix Effect: A Global Spotlight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3m8UMCXYZA
Premiering on Netflix in October 2020, Light Up the Sky capitalized on Blackpink’s pandemic-era surge in popularity. The streaming giant promoted it with multiple trailers, including an "eng sub" version targeting international fans . The film’s release coincided with the group’s How You Like That music video breaking YouTube records, further fueling its hype .
Critics noted the doc’s polished sheen—no rough edges, no unflattering angles—aligning with Netflix’s strategy of leveraging K-pop’s global appeal without alienating corporate partners . For Blackpink, it was a chance to control their story; for fans, it was a rare glimpse behind the curtain, even if the view was carefully curated.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.